When it comes to selling a home, there is no one size fits all solution. From the marketing to the value and everything in between, each house requires a unique approach to net a seller the most money in the least amount of time.
Home staging is one aspect of selling that requires a personal touch. “When someone thinks of staging, they usually think of a full-home makeover, with all the furniture and décor replaced with new pieces to get the home ready for sale,” says Jayne Woolcott of Woolcott Real Estate.
However, Woolcott says there are a few different levels of home staging sellers should consider, ensuring they’re maximizing their value – and their time.
Do you want even more details on how to stage for the maximum impact? Check out The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home.
Partial Staging Methods
There is no law stating that you need to spend thousands of dollars staging your entire house. Often, a partial or even some do-it-yourself techniques can help you earn more from your sale without a huge investment of time or money. Let’s begin with a look at some of those options.
Declutter and Depersonalize
When buyers are searching online, they want to be able to envision themselves in a home. This simple concept is what staging a house to sell is all about, whether you do it on a budget or go all out.
Focusing on cleaning and decluttering is the first step to getting buyers into that headspace. It might take a few days, and the only cost is for any cleaning supplies and organizational materials. Aim to keep all tables, dressers and countertops clean and tidy.
You’ll want to discard every unnecessary item to eliminate all distractions. Even your personal items and mementos must go, such as photos along the fireplace or fridge.
Stage Your House Inexpensively With Existing Items
One of our professional stagers at Woolcott Real Estate reports that many homes can be drastically improved using items you already own.
Furniture can be moved around to maximize space, and we can play with colour. Even simple things, like moving throw blankets and pillows, can change the whole mood of a home.
Staging with what you already have is a great way to optimize your sale without a substantial outlay of cash. No matter what, decluttering is still the first step. Less is almost always more if you want to create the impression of maximum space and natural light in the home.
Looking for even more advice to make your listing stand out today? The posts below can help:
- How to Price Your Home for the Market
- How to Stand Out in a Changing Real Estate Market
- Does Curb Appeal Still Matter When Selling A House Today?
Bring in the Staging Supplies
If a home is vacant or has outdated furniture that won’t photograph well, a professional stager can be one of the home seller’s strongest assets. Armed with a full inventory of couches, side tables, bedding and décor items, a professional’s eye transforms rooms into stunning masterpieces that photograph well – perfect for capturing buyers seeing homes for the first time online.
Woolcott says staging can be invaluable for most sellers, but cautions that it isn’t always a magic pill.
“If a carpet is worn or the paint is tired, a buyer will see through the staging when they visit the home in person. These are projects that should be remedied in consultation with your real estate agent and your stager,” says Woolcott. “We believe that all parties should work together on getting the home ready for sale, which is why we have our own on-staff, full-time stagers.”
Opt for the Full Staging Experience
Your own efforts can go a long way to creating a positive first impression on a potential buyer. However, for the full effect, it pays to bring in the professionals. This is particularly true for larger homes, where visitors are more discerning about the quality of the materials and design.
When only the best will do, an established real estate agent can provide a staging consultation and even recommend talented designers to prepare your home. Even better, work with a full-service team that includes professional staging as part of their package. This option can give you the best of both worlds, no out-of-pocket expenses and the best possible results from your home sale.
Did you know that Woolcott Real Estate offers complimentary staging to all clients? Contact our top agents in Hamilton & Burlington right here or call 905-332-9223 for more information.
